LA Quick Hits:

• Both Hugo and Danny were inaugurated yesterday. Hugo was so excited that he hurriedly flew off to Managua to see the once and future commandante get sworn in.
• Hugo continued in his quest to scare the bejeezus out of everyone. Chavez wants to introduce a constitutional amendment that would extend his rule. He brushed off concerns over the historic stock market plunge in Caracas, declared during his swearing in that Jesus Christ was the greatest socialist of all time and mixed Fidel's closings and used them as his own.
• The Herald has a confusing piece. At first noting that some Venezuelans are scared but that the changes being sought will just bring back a status quo to the 70's and 80's. This is outrageous - even NYT didn't go that far. One things for sure Venezuelans expats are freaked out .
  
• An LAT op-ed takes a look at Venezula's future and is less than optimistic about its prospects.
• Even the Brazilian press is scared of Hugo. (en esp.)
  
• Danny's inauguration was more of a mixed bag. Before he had a chance to give his speech Hugo was already hogging up the spotlight by presenting him with a sword and babbling on about Danny being one of history's indispensable figures. Then Danny went on to rip neo-liberalism, his hope to combat poverty but he also went on to assuage fears that he'll swing hard left. FT says Danny has his work cut out for him.
  
• Feeling a tad overlooked in all this Evo reminded anyone who would listen that he plans to nationalize the mining industry this year. (en esp.)
• Five governors in Bolivia issued a statement declaring that Evo practices "state terrorism." (en esp.) They issued this in support of their beleagured collegue in Cochabamba.
• The Herald ruins a good op-ed about the situation in Bolivia with a wishy-washy conclusion asking for compromise from the warring factions there.
• As if this weren't enough fun the news out of Caracas is that Iranian Prez will be visiting Venezuela, Nicaragua and Ecuador next Saturday. (en esp.)
  
• The resurfacing of Castro cronies that purged cultural circles in Cuba during the 60's and 70's has intellectuals on the island upset. That's their problem for living within the system - I personally don't care.
• Cuba is upset about restitution being paid out from frozen assets.
• Mexican troops are on their way to Acapulco - and it's not for a vacation.
• AG Albert Gonzalez asked for patience as Mexico fights the drug war for us. Ok, I added that last part.